Jennifer Wells (USA/Italy) - Plus One Collective
JENNIFER WELLS
Biography:
Jennifer Wells is a studio artist and educator originally from the U.S but currently living in Italy. She holds an MFA, in Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design and has completed artist-in- residencies at: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN, Pocosin Arts in Columbia, NC and the Jentel Foundation near Banner, WY. She has worked for several U.S based Craft Schools, in a variety of roles.
As an educator, Jennifer has taught for and been a visiting Artist at Universities throughout the U.S and for study abroad programs based in Italy. She serves on the Board of Vita Institute and teaches short workshops on various enameling and metalsmithing techniques throughout Europe and the U.S. In recent years she has curated multiple international exhibitions focused on jewelry and enameling.
Her works are in the collections of the Enamel Arts Foundation, Racine Museum, All Russian Museum of Decorative Arts, Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Yale University Art Gallery, Crocker Art Museum and Private Collections.
Collection Concept:
Begun in 2021, the “I am here” Collection is greatly inspired by landscapes, both external and internal. The works focus on place and how we exist and interact with our environment. Raw materials from the area where I live are gathered and incorporated into the works to create the focal point, an enameled plate. In the process of enameling, layers are applied, removed and manipulated. The process of creating the enamels I view as parallel to the process of becoming of ourselves. We must go through layers of life, building up and at times selectively removing aspects, as we become who we are.
Each piece in this Collection is intended as a quiet reflective moment as we become ourselves in the place we are.
“Blue Moments I” sterling silver, copper, enamel, leather, 2022, Brooch
“Two Sides” sterling silver, enamel, tourmalines, 2022
“Blue Moments II” sterling silver, copper, enamel, leather, 2022, Necklace